NSF’S GOLD-EN PROGRAM: BUILDING CAPACITY FOR BROADENING PARTICIPATION IN THE GEOSCIENCES

Science, as a body of knowledge, is a uniquely qualified source of vetted, objective information that could be brought to bear on many societal issues facing humanity and the Planet. Science, as something that is practiced, is at the mercy of those doing it. The World is facing "all minds needed" problems, but due to historical systemic structures, all minds have not been fully engaged. Recent research shows that underrepresented science scholars produce higher rates of scientific novelty, yet they do not persist in the systems where the innovation is created (Hofstra et al. 2020). Because the geosciences continue to lag behind other STEM fields in creating a diverse community of researchers, scholars, and practitioners, disruptive strategies and evidence-based practices are needed in an effort to recruit and specifically retain individuals who historically have not been included in geoscience education, research and careers.

NSF’s GEO Opportunities for Leadership in Diversity – Expanding the Network (GOLD-EN) Program is in its second year and seeks to scale B A JEDI (Belonging, Accessibility, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) activities in the geosciences or develop unique approaches for greater inclusion in the geoscience education and research community. The most recent GOLDEN call requested proposals that focused on: 1) supporting novel and innovative approaches for engaging with MSIs and training B A JEDI leaders, 2) encouraging convenings that offer professional development for early career scholars or encourage departments to develop/implement B A JEDI plans, and 3) fostering new collaborations that would focus on practices related to the valuation of diversity leaders or encourage change at the institutional level to meet the requirements of initiatives like SEA Change at AAAS. This presentation will highlight how recent awards are continuing to support and extend the goals of GOLDEN.